Illness Management and Recovery / IMR-A10-2
Distressing Thoughts Conversation — Practice worksheet
Describe the distress, impact on daily life, and support wanted; do not investigate or act on a feared explanation during the exercise.
15 minutes · Worksheet · Adults; supported use as appropriate
Fictional example: Casey feels unsafe after a confusing interaction and wants help discussing it.
Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. A clinician can explore distress without arguing about beliefs or endorsing unverified interpretations.
1. Choose a workable example
Use the fictional example below or an ordinary situation of your choosing. Keep identifying details out of shared copies.
2. Try the practice
Describe the distress, impact on daily life, and support wanted; do not investigate or act on a feared explanation during the exercise.
3. Compare possibilities
Generate at least two interpretations or options. Mark what you know, what you are guessing, and what remains outside your control.
4. Decide together
What would help you feel heard while uncertainty is explored safely? Choose one small action, a support request, or no action. Review the fit with your clinician when relevant.
Prompts for this resource
- My chosen or fictional situation, and what I know about it:
- My response to the practice task above:
- What would help you feel heard while uncertainty is explored safely?
- An optional next step, support, adaptation, or reason to stop:
Conceptual background
Illness Management and Recovery Evidence-Based Practices KIT — SAMHSA
Background on the approach only. Original exercises and wording are by More Than Therapy with AI assistance; the source does not validate or endorse these materials.